The man was an associate of Wilson Raj Perumal, who has been accused of fixing matches around the world, and has convictions for forgery, assault and burglary. At the first meeting in Manchester, on Thursday Nov 14, the man explained that fixing matches in the UK was relatively expensive, even in lower leagues. Several players are usually required to fix a match, he claimed.

Wilson Raj Perumal has been accused of fixing matches around the world (AP)

“So in England the cost is very high. So usually for the players it is £70,000,” said the fixer. In the first match that he claimed could be fixed, the man alleged he had agreed with the players that two goals would be scored in the first half and two in the second.

Furthermore, one player would “take” a yellow card in the first 10 minutes to prove to the fixers that the team was “on”. The player would be paid £5,000 for the yellow and, at that point, hundreds of thousands of pounds would flood on to international betting exchanges.

“So I say OK, who is going to take the yellow? And someone will say. So I say OK: in the first 10 minutes I need to see the yellow. If that yellow don’t see, I will not pay you anything,” the fixer explained in imperfect English.

Betting in Asia is more varied than traditional win-lose. Gamblers are able to bet on various outcomes. Hundreds of thousands of pounds can be placed on the number of goals to be scored over the course of a match, or a half, with the odds fluctuating throughout the game.

At a second meeting on Friday Nov 15, the fixer correctly predicted the result of a football game which took place the next day, claiming that he was in contact with the players.

“This team, 100 per cent tomorrow will lose to [their opponents],” he said. “One hundred per cent.” The fixer said that he had not fixed the match, but that the players had told him the scoreline to gain his trust: “They say, 'I give you the trust’ … They say, 'I can do for you’.” He claimed that some players were motivated by money. “Because basically, what the players want, you know, they want the money … I pay them £7,000 for two hours. Definitely they take,” he said.

“That’s the reason why … Even they say, 'if you want red card I can take for you’. Red card who they take … We are selling for one … 7,000 [pounds] plus extra 5,000 [pounds] if they think they need additional red card,” he added.

Many clubs in the lower leagues are semi-professional and players do not earn the astronomical wages associated with the Premier League and Football League. Wages start at around £200 a week and go up to more than £1,000 a week for professional clubs.

The fixer explained how he would allegedly discuss the plans with the footballers themselves.

“So I talk to them. Double confirm. I also tell them, I tell, 'this, this, this, what I want.’ You never talk anything simple because here is what I give the instruction. Not what they want to do. Because simple I commit myself and they commit. … So, so you tell me how many goals you can give. Give me at least five … either 3-2, 4-0, or zero, … for me four is enough.”

There were several meetings over four days, before the fixer returned to Singapore. Early on the morning of Thursday Nov 21, only four days later, he was back in Manchester, this time with a man claiming to be a Fifa match agent.

But, by then, the Telegraph had handed the evidence uncovered to the police and he was the subject of a major criminal investigation. For legal reasons, The Telegraph has been asked not to provide further details of the teams or individuals potentially involved.

By Wednesday morning, the fixer and his travelling companion – along with four others – were in custody. They included Delroy Facey, a former Premier League player turned agent, and three footballers.

On Wednesday night police were willing to confirm privately that it was only Premier League clubs that they could be sure were not involved in the unfolding scandal.

Pacey Facey: striker who never quite made it

In the late Nineties, Delroy Facey – who was arrested by the National Crime Agency this week – was a promising young player.

Facey, a former Premier League player turned agent, is one of six people arrested (MICHAEL STEELE/GETTY IMAGES)

Born in Huddersfield in 1980, he began as an apprentice for the local team in 1996. He rose through the ranks and in 2002 moved to Bolton Wanderers, then in the Premiership.

But he was unable to deliver on his early promise as a striker whose speed had earned him the nickname “Pacey Facey”.

He was sent on loan to Bradford City and then Burnley, where he notably scored a hat-trick against Walsall in the Championship 2002-03 season.

Facey moved to West Bromwich Albion, then drifted down the leagues, playing at Hull City, Tranmere Rovers, Gillingham, Wycombe Wanderers and Lincoln City among others.

A one-year deal with Hereford United ended when the team dropped out of League Two in 2012. He made his international debut for Grenada in 2009 – his mother was born on the Caribbean island.

This month, he has been playing for Albion Sports Football Club, in the Northern Counties East League.

There is no suggestion that any club he played for is connected to match fixing.